How To Prevent Menstrual Migraines
Although we now know that menstrual headaches are caused by the drop in estrogen levels in the body, a proactive way to prevent these types of headaches is by keeping a schedule. Eating healthy meals at about the same time every day, exercising regularly, and getting enough sleep and roughly the same amount every night can help. These preventative measures aren’t just for menstrual migraines but those of all types.
“Change be it change in sleep schedule, change in altitude, change in hormone levels with menses may precipitate migraine attacks,” pediatric neurologist Amy Gelfand, MD, tells Glamour. “It’s very hard to live a life of perfect balance. I worry sometimes that we stigmatize people with migraine by implying that they did something to cause their migraine attack. In reality, migraine is a genetic disease, and attacks may simply happen.”
There’s also the stigma that it’s just a headache and not a big deal. But anyone who’s had a migraine will tell you differently.
Dark Or Pale Menstrual Blood
If menstrual blood is regularly paler than usual, this may be a cause for concern. Menstrual blood is usually bright red at the beginning of a persons period and may get darker over the following days.
Passing very dark, old blood at the beginning of a period can also be a sign of endometriosis. If a person is experiencing other symptoms, they may wish to speak to a doctor.
Can You Get Pregnant If You Have Irregular Periods
Yes. Irregular menstrual cycles dont always affect fertility. In fact, plenty of women with irregular menstrual cycles get pregnant and go on to have normal pregnancies. So if you’re wondering whether irregular periods mean infertility, the answer is no, but this may make it harder for you to get pregnant.
When your periods are irregular, it makes it more difficult to know when to try to conceive. Usually women will track their cycles to determine when ovulation happens.
But going months without bleeding and then getting your period without any discernible pattern, or always having irregular periods, can make that type of tracking unreliable. Instead youll have to be on the lookout for other signs of ovulation, since cycle length wont tell you when to time baby-making sex.
The real concern when it comes to irregular periods is that occasionally the condition might indicate irregular or absent ovulation. And if you dont ovulate, you cant get pregnant. Problems with ovulation are responsible for up to 30 percent of all cases of infertility.
If an ovulation problem is a possibility, now’s the time to consult an evaluation with your physician to see if you will need help getting pregnant or if there are any underlying health issues that should be addressed first.
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Can Menopause Be Reversed
The short answer is no, but researchers are working on it.
One avenue of study is treatment using a womans own platelet-rich plasma . PRP contains growth factors, hormones, and cytokines.
Early efforts to restore activity in the ovaries of perimenopausal women indicate that ovarian activity restoration is possible, but only temporarily. Research is still in the early stages. Clinical trials are underway.
In a small study of postmenopausal women, 11 of 27 who were treated with PRP regained a menstrual cycle within three months. Researchers were able to retrieve mature eggs from two women. IVF was successful in one woman.
Much additional research on larger groups of women is needed.
Signs You Might Be Infertile
These days, many people spend so much time trying not to get pregnant, that when the time comes to start building our families, it can be surprising when it doesnt happen as easily or quickly as we expected it to. If youve been trying to get pregnant for a while and still are finding no results, there could be some unexpected complications pointing to infertility that are worth looking into.
Keep in mind that only a medical professional can confirm infertility in someone, so if you are having trouble getting pregnant and are questioning whether or not you should be seeing your doctor, then these are five big signs to look for that could show that you might be exhibiting symptoms of infertility.
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Potential Risk Factors Or Signs Of Infertility
Posted on by Capital Women’s Carein Gynecology, Obstetrics
Even if you are not trying to get pregnant right now, it is always worthwhile to know if you have any risk factors that will affect your future ability to have children. Both men and women can have them, so lets look at 8 potential risk factors or signs of infertility.
Can You Still Be Infertile If You Have A Period
Yes. Having regular predictable periods is a good indicator that you ovulate regularly. In other words, it means an egg is being released from your ovaries on a regular basis. But, ovulation alone does not guarantee that you can get pregnant. Sometimes there can be an issue with egg quality, how the egg is fertilized, its ability to be transported to the uterus, or how it becomes implanted in the uterus. There may also be a problem with the sperm. If youre having a period and regular intercourse but have not conceived, it is important to talk to your health care provider about whether a referral to a fertility specialist is warranted.
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Can You Get Pregnant With An Irregular Period
Yes, women can get pregnant with an irregular period. However, the ability to get pregnant decreases significantly. The disadvantage is ovulation becomes difficult to determine. The pregnancy success rate of a healthy woman with a regular cycle is 30%. Studies show this decreases exponentially if periods are off by ten days or more.
Menstruation’s Effects On Migraines
According to research by the Cleveland Clinic, 70% of people who experience migraines are women. Of those women, 60% to 70% experience them around or during their periods. For those who only suffer from migraines when they have their period, that’s known as menstrual migraines. Research published in The Journal of Headache and Pain has found that less than 10% to 20% of people who menstruate struggle with this type of migraine. The same research pointed to hormones, specifically estrogen, as the reason for these migraines.
“The most common reason for a headache, specifically a migraine headache, is the natural decline in estrogen levels that occurs as the menstrual period begins,” OB/GYN Dr. Holly Miller tells Bustle. “This is most noticeable for the two days prior to the start of the menstrual cycle and the first three days of it.”
So, no, those headaches during your period aren’t just in your head. Well, they are, but they’re definitely real, and the drop in estrogen is to blame.
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Trouble Keeping An Erection
Erectile dysfunction , also called impotence, is a condition where you have trouble keeping or getting an erection hard enough for sex. While impotence can be emotional or psychological, its usually caused by other health problems like high blood pressure, diabetes, stress, and hormones. Low testosterone can cause infertility, so its a good idea to have erection problems assessed.
You’ve Suddenly Developed Severe Acne
Changes in your skin, like the onset of adult acne from seemingly nowhere, could be a sign that your hormone levels are off. More specifically, sudden severe acne could mean that you’re suffering from PCOS, which as Dr. Douglas establishes above is one of the leading causes of fertility issues in people with ovaries.
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How Is Female Infertility Treated
Once your healthcare provider has diagnosed female infertility and pinpointed the cause, there are a variety of treatment options. The cause of the infertility guides the type of treatment. For example, structural problems may be treated through surgery, while hormonal medications can be used for other issues .
Many patients will require artificial insemination or in vitro fertilization .
Adoption and gestational surrogacy may also be options for women with infertility who wish to start a family.
The Causes Of Irregular Periods You May Be Overlooking
One of the main causes of an irregular period is Polycystic Ovary Syndrome . PCOS is an imbalance in the hormones controlling the reproductive system. PCOS causes irregular ovulation, cysts on ovaries, bleeding, and infertility. Research shows PCOS cases double miscarraiges and premature deliveries.
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Its Easy To Get The Care You Need
See a Premier Physician Network provider near you.
While many women feel that their monthly cycle is mysterious, some also struggle with it being completely unpredictable. If you have irregular periods , its likely that you arent ovulating or youre ovulating irregularly. Around 30 percent of infertility problems are caused by not ovulating, or to use the technical terms: oligo or anovulation.
Still Every Body Is Different
Unfortunately, my husband and I found ourselves at the fertility clinic several months later. We ended up going through five rounds of in vitro fertilization , and eventually used donor eggs to conceive our daughter.
As women, our bodies are complex, and we deserve to understand how they work. Having a period that comes every month isnt the full story. With the technology that exists today, Dr. DeLucia advises couples that suspect a problem when trying to conceive, why wait?
The truth is, most women will get pregnant within a year of trying. In my case, to become pregnant, I had to stop focusing on my regular periods and start looking deeper into all the possibilities. The business of getting pregnant is so much more than textbook-perfect cycles. I assumed having regular periods meant that I was ovulating. I had some issues with my progesterone levels, but as it turns out, both of these things had nothing on that fact that my eggs sucked and were unusableand I had no way of knowing that until I pursued IVF.
As it turns out, I had a lot to learn about the rest of my body, my eggs, and the fact that they may not work as well as I once thought. However, pursuing these issues, and pushing for answers, got me my beautiful daughter. It was a long road, but it was worth it all.
Risa Kerslake
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Wondering How To Know If Youre Infertile Whether Youre Actively Trying To Conceive Or Thinking About Having A Baby In The Future Its Important To Recognize These Common Infertility Symptoms
“Am I fertile?” It’s a question many women have when trying to conceive. That’s because one in eight couples struggle with infertility, or the inability to get pregnant despite having regular unprotected sex. Experts usually diagnose infertility if a couple unsuccessfully tries to conceive for one year .
Infertility is often silent, but sometimes, your body gives signs you can’t get pregnant. If you notice any of the five symptoms listed below, give your doctor a call. They’ll determine whether you have a condition that affects fertility, and they’ll treat the underlying problem.
It’s important to note that 85 to 90 percent of infertile couples are able to conceive with conventional treatment, according to the American Society of Reproductive Medicine. So even if you have these signs of infertility in women, there’s a chance you’ll get pregnant one day!
How Rare Is It To Be Pregnant And Have Your Period
Despite numerous claims, it isnt possible to get your period while pregnant. Once the body starts the production of the pregnancy hormone human chorionic gonadotropin , your periods stop.
I have never felt the need to write a review for any app, but this one deserves recognition. I never used to track my period and I ended up needing to have a blood transfusion because I was bleeding so much for so long. But when I downloaded Flo, It has helped me in so many ways. It has always been accurate, and gives me insight on the symptoms Ive been having on my period, and I can keep my symptoms logged so that I can show my doctor what was going on during my last period. Its a really useful and helpful app.
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Your Sex Drive Has Decreased Dramatically
A major decrease in your sex drive could signify lots of things besides infertility. Your drop in desire might just mean you’re extremely stressed out or depressed. Certain medications can mess with sex drive, too. However, it’s worth noting that, in addition to contributing to infertility, endometriosis can cause sexual desire to decrease in people with ovaries. It can also cause sex to be extremely painful. In fact, a 2017 study published in the journal Reproductive Sciences reviewed nine studies on the topic of endometriosis and sexual function, all of which were published between 2000 and 2016. It found that, overall, around two thirds of people with endometriosis have some form of sexual dysfunction. Again, only your doctor can tell you for certain if your lack of sex drive points to fertility issues.
What Is The Outlook For Female Infertility
The outlook for female infertility depends greatly on the individual and the underlying cause of infertility. In cases where medication can be used to treat an ovulatory condition, or a simple surgical procedure can be used to correct a structural abnormality , the outlook is generally positive. Talk to your doctor about your family history, risk factors and underlying medical issues to learn more about your prognosis.
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In Vitro Fertilization After Menopause
IVF after menopause has been successfully demonstrated.
Postmenopausal eggs are no longer viable, but there are still two ways you can take advantage of IVF. You can use eggs you had frozen earlier in life, or you can use fresh or frozen donor eggs.
You will also need hormone therapy to prepare your body for implantation and to carry a baby to term.
When compared with premenopausal women, postmenopausal women are more likely to experience both minor and major complications of pregnancy after IVF.
Depending on your overall state of health, IVF after menopause may not be an option for you. Its worth consulting with a fertility expert who has worked with postmenopausal women.
Your Gp Will Ask You About Your Lifestyle General Health And Medical History They May Ask You Questions About:
- any previous pregnancies or children you may have
- how long you have been trying to conceive
- how often you have sex
- how long it has been since you stopped using contraception
- if you take any medication
- your lifestyle and habits.
They may also advise you about the things you can do to improve your chances of getting pregnant and how your partner can improve their fertility.
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How Does Fertility Differ With The Pill
Birth control pills aim to prevent unintended pregnancy. The pill prevents pregnancy by releasing synthetic hormones that stop ovulation from occurring and the uterus lining from thickening.
So, even if the ovaries do release an egg, a fertilized egg would be unable to implant in the wall of the uterus. The pill also thickens cervical mucus, making it harder for sperm to reach an egg.
According to the CDC , the birth control pill is more than 99% effective with perfect use but only 91% effective with typical use. This means that around 9 out of 100 women would become pregnant in a year of taking the pill with typical use.
What Tests Will Be Done To Diagnose Anovulation
Tests for diagnosing anovulation depend on what your healthcare provider suspects are causing your anovulation. Tests that can help diagnose anovulation, include:
- Blood progesterone levels.
- Blood prolactin levels.
- An ultrasound exam of your pelvic organs.
Many of the hormone imbalances that cause anovulation have other symptoms, so your provider may have you undergo other tests if youre experiencing symptoms of a certain hormone imbalance condition.
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Smoking And Alcohol Use
While most people are aware of the risks of using tobacco and alcohol while pregnant, smoking and drinking while trying to get pregnant can also cause problems.
Smoking negatively affects sperm counts, sperm shape, and sperm movementall of which are important factors for conception. IVF treatment success has also been found to be poorer in couples with male smokers, even when IVF with ICSI is used.
Smoking has also been connected to erectile dysfunction. Quitting cigarettes might be able to reverse the effect.
In women, smoking can speed up the process of ovarian aging, bringing on earlier menopause. If you quit early enough, you might be able to reverse some of the damage.
Heavy alcohol use can also lead to fertility problems for men and women. While most studies have found that a few drinks a week don’t typically cause harm to fertility, excessive drinking has been linked to lower sperm counts, poor sperm movements, and irregular sperm shape.
One study found that with every additional drink consumed per week, the IVF success rate decreased.
Quitting smoking and reducing alcohol use may positively impact fertility and will have a positive impact on health, but research has shown that some of the damage to the body caused by smoking might be reversibleparticularly in men.
Heavy Long Or Painful Periods
Some women experience a few days of light flow, while others regularly experience heavy periods and painful cramps.
Women who experience very heavy, painful periods may be showing signs of endometriosis, a condition where tissues usually found in the womb are present elsewhere in the body.
Endometriosis is a risk factor for infertility.
Other symptoms of endometriosis include:
- chronic pelvic pain
- pain during sex
- bowel problems or pain with bowel movements
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